Château Haut Brion, 1er Cru Classé, Pessac Léognan, 2017

Tasting Note:

This Haut Brion is a bit of a paradox. One can instantly recognisable this great terroir with its muscular, stony character, reserve and nobility, yet there is also something rather open and accessible, something we'd normally associate more with La Mission. It is initially more aromatic than La Mission with notes of crème de mûre, roses and a deep stony minerality, but it is by no means an extrovert, you have to keep searching... The palate is glorious, there is so much intensity and power - it feels effortless - swaths of cool cassis, clear ripe damsons and sandalwood grip the mouth with their delicate perfume. There is a gravelly note to the fruit that is almost austere and counters the sweetness and velvetiness of the attack. The tannins have real authority and presence with multiple layers of fruit and complex mineral nuance. It is at the same time amenable yet slightly reticent. One is left feeling that this wine, glorious as it is already is holding back on us. A great wine!